Disadvantages of metal head gaskets? (and what size to go with)

[rcM3]

I'm about to replace my head gasket again... I must have screwed up my first go around. The head was rebuilt and trued... so that's not it. But I digress....

Are there any disadvantages to using a metal head gasket? Here's the one I've found:

http://www.vacmotorsports.com/cgi-bin/view_item.pl?item_id=424

What size should I use? Are there any other brands, vendors I should consider?

I'm also going to go with some ARP studs this time.

I'm planning on keeping my car so I don't see any reason I should by any more one-time-use parts if I can avoid it.

Thanks for your help!

[CosmoE36]

I'm about to replace my head gasket again... I must have screwed up my first go around. The head was rebuilt and trued... so that's not it. But I digress....

Are there any disadvantages to using a metal head gasket? Here's the one I've found:

http://www.vacmotorsports.com/cgi-bin/view_item.pl?item_id=424

What size should I use? Are there any other brands, vendors I should consider?

I'm also going to go with some ARP studs this time.

I'm planning on keeping my car so I don't see any reason I should by any more one-time-use parts if I can avoid it.

Thanks for your help!


stock size is .070.

also get a set ot ARP head bolts from VAC while your at it. sounds like you might have the had off again sometime in the future.

[dejablu311]

was the head decked? If so then you will want to go with a thicker then stock gasket or your compression will increase. I'm not sure who vac gets their gaskets from but that one looks like a cometic. If thats the case then its very high quality and you don't have anything to worry about.

[Don Nguyen]

I think the thing with metal gasket is. You rather have your gasket go than your head. Not exaclty sure, but that's what I've heard.

[Def]

Metal gaskets are harder to get a seal with than the stock gasket type. They're stronger, but if you're NA I'd go with a stock gasket in a heartbeat.

[rcM3]

Metal gaskets are harder to get a seal with than the stock gasket type. They're stronger, but if you're NA I'd go with a stock gasket in a heartbeat.

Harder to seal up???

Is there something you need to do extra to make your hg set right? Or with a metal hg is there just a better chance that its going to have to redo it?

[Def]

If your head and block aren't perfectly flat then they aren't going to "fill in the gaps" as well as a stock firering gasket.

They work great, and are obviously stronger than a stock gasket, but you need to properly prep the head/block by having a machine shop make sure they're flat.

For an NA car you simply don't need a metal headgasket - so stay stock. It's easier, it's cheaper.